Did you know that Celebrate Aberdeen is run by a group of volunteers? Evenings, weekends, and even early in the morning before work, the team can be found planning and organizing our amazing events.
Find out more about our team and why they love Celebrate Aberdeen!
Event and Web Manager
Adele is a marketing and events specialist who works and lives in Aberdeen. Volunteering for various charities across the city but still wanting to do more, she joined the Celebrate Aberdeen committee.
Adele takes on an ‘all rounder’ role within the committee, managing web content, liaising with charities and helping with the Celebrate Aberdeen Awards.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Adele said, “Everyday I’d find myself wanting to support another charity or cause, trying to help everyone but spreading myself too thin. By working with Celebrate Aberdeen I can work with all of the amazing organisations in Aberdeen rather than choosing one or two”.
Event Manager
Amanda has volunteered for Celebrate Aberdeen since 2016 and currently manages the Awards.
From organising the judges to managing the award entries and everything in between, Amanda’s got it covered.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Amanda said, “I love volunteering with Celebrate Aberdeen as I feel the small part I play highlights the fantastic work the local charities in Aberdeen do. There are so many unsung hero’s in Aberdeen, it’s really rewarding to help provide a platform that gives them the recognition they so deserve. ”
Stakeholder Engagement Manager
Angela has been volunteering for Celebrate Aberdeen for over 8 years. As one of the longest standing volunteers she has supported a number of roles, including her latest role as Stakeholder Engagement Manager.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Angela said, "I love Celebrate Aberdeen! The city has such a fantastic atmosphere thought the weekend - it gives me a real sense of community.
For me, the best thing for me about volunteering for Celebrate Aberdeen is the other volunteers I have been lucky enough to meet
- hard working, dedicated, friendly and most importantly fun people!
It has been fantastic seeing the third sector parade grow over the years, along with the musical performances throughout the city and we now also have the awards. I can't wait to see what 2020 will bring!"
Entertainment Manager
Jamee is a PR and marketing specialist from Aberdeen. She has been working with Celebrate Aberdeen for 3 years. Initially joining the team as a weekend volunteer, she has been responsible for organising the weekend and award entertainment for the last 2 years. Jamee plans the entertainment schedule, identifies and communicates with local entertainers, liaises with the council and shopping centres and manages the main event site.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Jamee said, "I love supporting Celebrate Aberdeen because it brings out the best in the city and showcases the amazing third sector and entertainers the city has to offer!"
Digital Marketing Specialist and Content Manager
John volunteers his time to assist with content creation and social media coverage for both the August weekend and awards ceremony. His position as Content Director with media partners Northsound 1 allows him to help craft the on-stage hosting for both events and radio coverage to spread the word far and wide.
Events and Digital Marketing Co-ordinator
Kara joined Celebrate Aberdeen in 2019, helping coordinate the second Celebrate Aberdeen Third Sector Awards and the August weekend.
In 2020, as well as continuing her work on the awards, she will also will also join the Celebrate Aberdeen digital marketing team.
When asked why she volunteers for Celebrate Aberdeen, Kara said: “It’s amazing how much Celebrate Aberdeen has evolved. 2020 is set to be the best year yet – I can’t wait to get involved”
Digital Marketing Specialiast and Presenter
Lauren Mitchell is one half of the North-east’s number one breakfast show on Northsound 1. Lauren has been involved with Celebrate Aberdeen throughout the weekend itself, presenting on stage each year, making promotional videos, writing blogs ahead of the big weekend and helping the digital team with the social media channels.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Lauren said, “I have thoroughly enjoyed being part of such a fantastic event and I think it's great that we get to celebrate this great city and the fabulous people in it.”
Stakeholder Engagement
Lynne Brooks currently works as a fundraiser at The ARCHIE Foundation. She has worked with other third sector organisations in Aberdeen including Children 1st and Make A Wish, in fundraising, volunteer coordinating and service delivery roles. She has a background in Sales and Marketing having worked with Pharmaceutical and FMCG companies since graduating until her move into the third sector when she relocated to Aberdeen. She is a mum to two who keep her very busy and loves to travel and cook. Having lived in Aberdeen for 10 years now I wanted to give something back to a city which our family now calls home.
When asked why she supports for Celebrate Aberdeen Lynne said, "Aberdeen is a city where lots of hidden good deeds and events take place, Celebrate Aberdeen is a chance to promote those and the fantastic people who deliver them"
Print Manager
Matt has volunteered for Celebrate Aberdeen for the past 3 years however in 2017 his company, Intro Creative, took on the role as print sponsor.
As well as offering a helping hand when needed throughout the year, as print sponsor Matt and his team provide all printing and signage for both the August weekend and the Awards.
When asked why he supports Celebrate Aberdeen Matt said, “I've been volunteering for Celebrate Aberdeen for 3 years now, and I LOVE IT. The city atmosphere is brilliant throughout the parade and into the afternoon as our entertainment unfolds on the Broad Street stage!”
Founder and Managing Director
Morven is the founder of Celebrate Aberdeen and as a result has been involved in the initiative since it began in 2011 when the third sector parade was first introduced to the city. As well as ultimately heading up our team of volunteers, she is responsible for the overall event management of both the August weekend and the third sector awards, held in September. She also takes a view on the wider Celebrate Aberdeen plans, looking at what else the organisation can bring to the city in order to promote the great work of the people who live here.
Sports Manager and Presenter
Pete has been a volunteer with Celebrate Aberdeen since 2014. During this he’s seen it get bigger and bigger each year. He says it’s such a wonderful way of celebrating the third sector and the great city of Aberdeen and the fact that it’s run completely by volunteers for volunteers makes him very proud to be a part of it.
Pete has taken on a variety of roles such as helping out on the parade, helping organise the Union Street Mile Races, he’s been involved in fun videos to promote the Celebrate Aberdeen weekend, but mainly Pete has been a stage host, introducing bands and getting the crowds hyped up. The main stage recently moved from Union Terrace Gardens to it’s new Broad Street location. More recently Pete got the chance to co-host the prestigious Celebrate Aberdeen Awards and says it was such an honour as it truly helped recognise some outstanding individuals.
When asked why he volunteers for Celebrate Aberdeen, Pete said “Each year Celebrate Aberdeen grows! Both events are great fun and I can’t wait to see what 2020 will bring.”
Head of Digital Marketing
A total advocate and fangirl of Aberdeen and the third sector, this is Suz’s seventh year as a volunteer for Celebrate Aberdeen! She is a self-employed marketing and social media consultant and has volunteered in the Celebrate Aberdeen street team, the Union Terrace Gardens team, walked in the parade with one of our charities and has been part of the social media team for the last two years!
Suz works with a number of local and national businesses, including the third sector; and has a reputation for her creativity, methodical planning and love of Instagram stories! Easily recognisable by always carrying her phone and a coffee.”
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Suz said, " Celebrate Aberdeen is such an important part of
Aberdeen’s annual calendar and vital to showcase not only the third sector organisations in the city, but the city itself and our abundance of talent!"
Volunteer Manager
Vicki has volunteered for Celebrate Aberdeen for 3 years and supported a variety of roles in addition to her current role of Volunteer Manager.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Vicki said, "I truly enjoy it every year. Each year is a bit different with new people to meet, new charities to support, roles often change but the ethos is the same.
Supporting local causes, sports teams and other groups really does bring the community together. The community created by the volunteers within celebrate Aberdeen is inspiring. A collection of people coming together to create an amazing event for their city. It’s so unique! I’ve made great friends through the years and hope to continue for many more years."
Logistics Manager
Now in his 4th year volunteering for Celebrate Aberdeen, William has been promoted to Logistics Manager. Part of his role is to make sure that all of our promotional material is in pristine condition and most importantly, in the right place at the right time.
When asked why he supports Celebrate Aberdeen William said, "I love shining a light on the third sector and celebrating everything that they do."
Parade Manager
Katie has a background in print and media, before working directly for the third sector. She has recently returned to education, studying Politics, Philosophy and Economics full time at The Open University while putting her business skills to use part time. She joined the Celebrate Aberdeen team in 2016 and is one of the longest serving committee members. As the scale of the event has grown, Katie has passed the baton on certain aspects of management of the event. She now focuses purely on the third sector parade and is the charity liaison within the CA team.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen Katie said, “Celebrate Aberdeen has been so rewarding over the years. It’s incredible to witness the local third sector coming together to join the parade and I am always so touched by the stories each group has to tell.”
PR & Communications Manager
Kate started her career in journalism and worked in newspapers in Dundee, Aberdeen and Canada before jumping ship and taking on a variety of communications roles in the public and private sector in Aberdeen.
She worked with Celebrate Aberdeen for several years as a parade volunteer before taking on the role of PR & Communications Manager in 2019. She handles all media enquiries, writes the press releases and content for the parade programme and for some of the awards literature.
When asked why she supports Celebrate Aberdeen she said she first got involved because she was impressed by the behind the scenes work which other volunteers were putting in to make it happen and wanted to help.
“This event is unique in Scotland in celebrating the huge contribution which the Third Sector, social enterprises and community groups make to all our lives. It’s a real joy to be involved in raising awareness of what they do.”
